Downpatrick seconds battled back twice before securing all three points in superb fashion against a strong Mourne Rovers Team, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 19th March – NADAFL Premier Division
Mourne Rovers 2 v Downpatrick Athletic 3
Downpatrick Athletic travelled to Mourne Rovers on Saturday and were forced into making a few changes to their squad due to some late call offs. Downpatrick’s cause wasn’t helped by conceding a penalty and making a substitution in the opening ten minutes.
Centre half Chris Magee was adjudged to have fouled the Rovers striker giving the referee no option but to point to the penalty spot. The Mourne Rovers striker dusted himself down and sent Downpatrick keeper Robbie Hagen the wrong way. Two minutes later things went from bad to worse for the away side when midfielder Ciaran Evans had to be replaced by player manager Stephen Hughes.
As the game approached the final five minutes of the half Downpatrick’s fortunes changed when they won a corner, Declan Curran swung the ball in and it fell at the feet of Hughes at the back post. His first shot was blocked on the line and came back out to him and his left foot volley crashed into the back of the net to bring his side level.
Half Time: Mourne Rovers 1 v Downpatrick Athletic 1
Mourne Rovers came out determined at the start of the second half and within ten minutes got their noses back in front. Smart play in midfield before an inch perfect pass saw the Rovers striker bearing down on goal one on one against Hagen before rounding the keeper and scoring.
Credit to Downpatrick they didn’t let their head drop and with twenty minutes remaining they equalised. Good play between Christopher McDowell and Conaill Kerr down the left wing, before Kerr crossed the ball into the box for Adrian McCoubrey who was in the right place to tap the ball into the back of the net.
As the game entered the final minutes of the game Downpatrick scored the winner, again McDowell and Kerr combined well before Kerr passed the ball to Hughes. His first time pass found Shane Matheson on the edge of the box and the striker had the presence of mind to chip the keeper and earn his side three points.
Downpatrick: 1) R Hagen 2) R Fitzpatrick 3) C McDowell 4) G Trueman 5) C Magee 6) A McCoubrey 7) D Curran 8) C Evans 9) S Matheson 10) S McMahon 11) C Kerr 12) S Hughes 14) N Young 15) M Carson
MATCH SPONSOR: McGreevy’s Butchers, Downpatrick